Sarah Fitz-Gerald Celebrates Home Town Commonwealth Games Appearance

Despite having retired since winning the Commonwealth Games singles gold medal four years ago in Manchester, Australian squash legend Sarah Fitz-Gerald will still play a part in the 2006 Games which get underway in her home town of Melbourne this week.

The record five-times World Open champion will be running with the Queen's Baton tomorrow in her local suburb of Sandringham.

"It's a real honour and I'm really looking forward to it - though I only get to run 450 metres," said Fitz-Gerald, who expects to start at around 11.27 just outside Vintage Wine Cellars. "I have the uniform and many supporters!"

Fitz-Gerald will be commentating throughout the 11 days of squash action at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC).

"It should be a great learning experience, but no doubt hard work mentally," added the 37-year-old who amassed 61 WISPA World Tour titles in her career, in addition to the World Games gold medal in Finland in 1997 and Commonwealth Games gold in 2002.